A renewed financial relationship
between NASCAR and the Reverend Jesse Jackson is drawing a sharp
rebuke from members of the African-American leadership network
Project 21. Last year, public criticism from Project 21's black
activists and the National Legal and Policy Center provoked an
outcry among NASCAR fans that led the professional racing organization
to discontinue their funding of Jackson's groups. NASCAR recently
sponsored a Jackson-affiliated luncheon, with a NASCAR executive
explaining, "we would want to be in step with other sports
and corporations" in supporting Jackson.

"I think it's a disgrace that NASCAR
is once again aligning itself with Jesse Jackson. It's a disgrace
to the fans and a disgrace to the sport," said Project 21
member Reginald Jones. "As one of NASCAR's most hardcore
fans, I'll personally be out there at the races letting NASCAR
officials and fans alike know that the sport should not be falling
prey to Jackson's politically correct scams."

CNSNews.com first reported NASCAR's sponsorship
of a sport-themed luncheon on June 30 that was part of Jackson's
annual Rainbow /PUSH Coalition conference in Chicago. At a similar
luncheon last year, Coalition board member Bill Shack called
auto racing "the last bastion of white supremacy" in
professional sports. NASCAR, which previously donated an estimated
$250,000 to Jackson's groups, reportedly planned no further donations
after Project 21, NLPC and NASCAR fans criticized the relationship.

George Pyne, NASCAR's vice president
of marketing, however, the week lavished praise on the group
whose sports liaison last year called stock car racing "a
good ole' boy's southern cracker sport." During the luncheon,
Pyne called Jackson and his group "positive catylysts for
change" and told CNSNews reporter Marc Morano: "To
the extent that Rainbow/PUSH is committed to making NASCAR more
diverse, we support them."

Project 21 members believe the quality
of auto racing, like any sport, would be hurt by racial quotas.
Instead, businesses affiliated with but not governed by NASCAR
can help qualified minority drivers succeed through financial
sponsorships all drivers need to fund their competition. (A
commentary on this topic, "Blacks Need Green to Compete
with Whites in NASCAR," can be found at http://www.nationalcenter.org/NPA502.html.)

"Diversity in sports is a sham,
and NASCAR officials should know it," adds Jones. "Until
the NBA starts recruiting more Hispanics, the nation's largest
minority and an underrepresented segment of professional basketball
players, I don't think NASCAR should be looking to promote anyone
but deserving drivers. If Jackson truly wants to integrate NASCAR,
he needs to be out raising money for minority drivers instead
of shaking down the front office."